Core i5-10400 vs Core i5-10400F

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-10400 vs Core i5-10400F FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-10400 vs Core i5-10400F: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10400

2020

Why buy it

✅+10% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i5-10400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 65.9 vs 81.4 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).

Core i5-10400F

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 81.4 vs 65.9 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,454 vs 1,600).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,191 vs 8,313).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400 better than Core i5-10400F?

Yes. Core i5-10400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-10400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-10400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-10400 is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i5-10400F is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400 comes in 13.8% more expensive on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $160 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-10400F is also 23.6% better value on MSRP (81.4 vs 65.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-10400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-10400 vs Core i5-10400F Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-10400

The Core i5-10400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,988 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i5-10400F

The Core i5-10400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,029 points. Launch price was $155.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-10400 and Core i5-10400F share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-10400F — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-10400 scores 11,988 against the Core i5-10400F's 13,029 — a 8.3% lead for the Core i5-10400F. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8,313 vs 8,191 (1.5% advantage for the Core i5-10400). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,600 vs 1,454, a 9.6% lead for the Core i5-10400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Core i5-10400F
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake (2020−2025)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	11,988	13,029+9%
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,313+1%	8,191
Geekbench 6 Single	1,600+10%	1,454
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,783

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1200 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 400-series (Core i5-10400) and H410,B460,H470,Z490,H510,B560,H570,Z590 (Core i5-10400F).

Feature	Core i5-10400	Core i5-10400F
Socket	LGA1200	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-10400F). The Core i5-10400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-10400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400 targets Gaming, Core i5-10400F targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400 rivals Ryzen 5 3600; Core i5-10400F rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Core i5-10400F
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-10400 was priced at $182, while the Core i5-10400F came in at $160. On launch pricing ($182 vs $160), Core i5-10400F was $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-10400 delivers 65.9 pts/$ vs 81.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-10400F — making the Core i5-10400F the 21.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-10400	Core i5-10400F
MSRP	$182	$160-12%
Performance per Dollar	65.9	81.4+24%
Release Date	2020	2020

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